Author Interview With Alicia Coston

I enjoy writing suspense novels or thrillers.

How would you describe yourself in a short third person bio?

Alicia Coston is a lady in the streets but a literary tramp while writing; the books she writes are indicative of her personality which is aggressive, straight to the point and sometimes shocking. She never states that she writes like “so and so”, but simply asks that readers take the time to read excerpts of her work and come to the conclusion that she writes like Alicia Coston.What made you initially want to write? Has your motivation changed since then?

I’ve always loved to write. I can remember writing poems and writing/illustrating books as a child. As I grew older and my taste in books changed, I realized I truly loved thrillers that took me on an unpredictable journey and that’s what I wanted to write. My motivation is and always has been entertaining my readers. What do you think is the most important part of writing?

The most important part of writing is having the passion to do so.What is your favourite part of writing? Perhaps this is shameful, but I love controlling what’s going to happen to my characters! I also love watching a story mount from the beginning to the end.

Tell us an interesting fact about you.

Little known fact: I was on the cover of my first book, She’s Killin’ Me. Very cost efficient!
  Do you have a day-job, (other than writing)?

I currently work full time as an employment specialist with intellectually/developmentally disabled individuals.Do you prefer a physical book or an ebook? Why?

I actually prefer a physical book because it’s much more tangible; I feel like I know the author when I’m holding it in my hands, even if I don’t care for the book.Are you an indie author, or did you get your work published the ‘traditional’ way?

Honestly, I never tried to get published the ‘traditional’ way as so many have. I’ve seen many talented authors rejected and decided a long time ago that I would claim my destiny and reap the majority of the benefits from my hard work. I don’t feel that a name or fame should sell a book: talent should. Nowadays, being an indie author is the ‘traditional’ way in my honest opinion. Tell us about your latest writing.

My latest book is The Men Who Sleep With My Husband. It’s a suspense novel about a pastor who has numerous male lovers; when his wife discovers his torrid affairs, she hires a contract killer to get rid of her husband’s lovers in an attempt to frame her husband for the murders. The question is, will she have a change of heart and choose the Bible over the bullet?
 
How long did it take you to write ‘The Men Who Sleep With My Husband’, from start to finish?

It took me about seven months. Would you like to tell us a little about your novel, ‘She’s Killin’ Me’?

My first book is an erotic thriller about a married Italian-American man who falls for a murderous exotic dancer; it is your classic cat and mouse tale with numerous twists and turns, and, of course, several erotic…moments. So, how long does it take you, on average, to complete a first draft?

 It usually takes me about a month to finish a first draft. Then the real writing begins.

Which projects are you working on at the moment?

I’m currently working on my third thriller entitled Etiquette. It’s a story of a woman who will destroy the lives of those around her all in the name of status lust. I’m also working on a stageplay for The Men Who Sleep With My Husband.

How do you come up with the titles for your books? And do you have the final title before completing your book, or after?

I usually come up with a good title before completing my work; I’ve never changed my mind about them. The title embodies the entire book; if I’m writing about a pastor who takes on several male lovers, why not call it The Men Who Sleep With My Husband? People immediately get an idea of what the book is about, though that’s not the only thing the book is about.How has writing changed your life?

It’s great to know that perfect strangers enjoy my writing and tell me so; though they aren’t my only inspiration, they do inspire me to be a better writer for them as well as myself. It has allowed me to tell all the wild stories that unfold in my mind and take complete control of at least one aspect of my life. Where do you get inspiration for writing from?

I cross paths with people who inspire me to write, both good and bad. There is also a small portion of me in my books living inside one character or another.
 
Is there a particular form, style or genre that you’d like to have a go at writing? Why?

Definitely children’s books. Yes, that’s a stretch, but those were the books I first read and I believe kids should never lose the desire to read. It definitely enhances the vocabulary.

I have too many books to name, but my favorite authors are Toni Morrison, John Grisham, Truman Capote, Dean Koontz, Walter Mosley and many, many more…
 
Do you think it’s necessary to have a degree (of any sort) in order to be a successful author?

Absolutely not. Sure, you may get the technical part down, but can you tell a story? Everyone can’t do that. People want to be touched, entertained or both by your words. A degree won’t help you do that. Experience, working on your craft, and a passion for writing, not money, will help you do that. Sometimes, just like a person born with a beautiful voice, either you have it, or you don’t! Yet you still need to perfect your craft. What would you say to those who want to become a writer? Any advice?

Never, ever, ever give up even when people tell you your work is garbage; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Don’t get me wrong, you should always have someone critique your work that will do so honestly; if several people are telling you the same thing, work on that part of your craft. Try things a different way when you discover something doesn’t work. Being patient is key, since it can take years to become a masterful writer. Keep your expectations low, as nothing is promised, if you want to become a bestselling author. Don’t write for the money, write because you love to; if you don’t love to write and are, in fact, writing for the money, your heart may not be in it which will cause you to be unsuccessful in the end. Read often; it helps to build the vocabulary. For all indie authors, take the time to learn the publishing business. Ten percent of your time will be spent writing while the other ninety percent will be spent marketing shamelessly. Do not respond to negative feedback and accept it for what it is: feedback! Above all else, write every day, even if it’s only one sentence at a time. Those sentences could one day be your masterpiece.

Personal web:

http://www.aliciacoston.com or http://www.aladyinthestreets.com or

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@aladynthestreet